Google Doc Survey

Survey:

https://docs.google.com/a/alaska.edu/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenhy0jbZXcqKiVyncRRwAB90JayGYRr8q4wejE8_fU-os8fw/viewform

Results:

1. Survey results spreadsheet with graphs –

   https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YDiW1KOlvcFvjyHlwO2AT5qxmRGYOlepeNooL9XVWghttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YDiW1KOlvcFvjyHlwO2AT5qxmRGYOlepeNooL9XVWgI/pub?amp;output=html#

2. Visual summary of all responses (all graphs used in analysis) –
   
   visual_rep

Reflection:

Using Google Forms for this type of survey worked well for me. I liked the user-friendly interface and the amount of different type of questions available for polling. I found visual summary of results to be the most beneficial feature of the form. It created a very clear picture of where results were headed and was easy to interpret. I did not like creating my own graphs from the survey because of the poor pivot table feature and unintuitive field controls. So, I opted to create very few graphs of my own to supplement the visual summary of the survey. I have marked my own reflection of how parts of the survey could have been structured better under ‘notes’ in the appropriate places under my findings report below.

This survey was meant to create a picture of whether and how selected Web 2.0 tools are used in the classroom (Higher Ed or K-12; digital or physical). Out of 10 participants, the majority (67%) were instructors teaching at College level. Fifty eight percent of all instructors polled were teaching online asynchronously, 17% — face to face, and 25% — stated “other” as method of delivery. (Note: it would have been better to create a field “workshops and seminars,” rather than “other.”)

The survey had 2 major parts: 1) a simple polling of which tools and where used, and 2) the effectiveness of those tools in the classroom. The survey had specific tools for participants to choose from and specific areas of the effectiveness of the Web 2.0 tools to be evaluated. Only one participant out of 10 did not use any Web 2.0 tools in the classroom.

Results showed blogs and video, screen and podcasts as most popular Web 2.0 tools in classroom use, being selected by majority of survey participants. Blogs, curration and screen and podcasts were identified as most popular in personal use. These finding showed that instructors who are using these tools in their classrooms are technically proficient and comfortable with the technology since they are also utilizing these tools for personal use. (Note: perhaps rephrase the question so it reads, “which tools have you used before personally before adapting them in the classroom”).

In the second part of the survey the most significant/surprising results were in assessment of how Web 2.0 tools contribute to the accommodation of different learning styles. Thirty three percent of participants placed the scale right in the middle. This leads me to believe that the instructors have not made up their mind as to how affective the tools are in that particular area and further research is needed. (Note: perhaps the scale needs to be extended beyond 5 points and have an extra mark at ‘not sure’).  The rest of the areas have received mostly 4 and 5 points by the majority of participants which leads me to believe that majority of instructors find Web 2.0 technology in the classroom more beneficial for learning process than not. The most effective area of Web 2.0 tools use according to the votes was active learning (evaluated by 42% of instructors at 4 mark).

As far as the type of tools that instructors would like to learn more about, video, screen and podcasts had 50% of the vote. The majority (60%) of instructors had opted to select “other.” (Note: maybe include a write-in field to list specific tools if “other” option selected).

An important surprise of this survey was how participants responded to the write-in fields for questions like “Do you think Web 2.0 technologies belong in the classroom (digital or physical) or not and why?” All but one participant have taken time to express their opinion in this optional field which leads me to believe that instructors are interested in Web 2.0 technology and actively reflect on their functionality in the classroom. Out of 9 participants who responded to the question 8 were in favor and gave substantive feedback as to why; only one responded as “unsure-more research is warranted.”